Autumn in Honduras

One of the things I miss in Honduras is autumn. I love the colors of fall, and fresh apple cider, and the sense of the weather changing. I cannot really complain, though. Here we are in the rainy season, and everything is fresh and green, and the temperature is always pleasant. And, at El Hogar, it is also a time of change.

At this time of year, the third year students at the Agricultural School and the Technical Institute are doing their internships. Each of them is matched with a business or a farm and is having a chance to see what working in the “real world” is like. Besides adding to the training the boys get, this also gives them some initial contacts in looking for work, and something to put on their resumes. It helps them make the tough transition to independence.

This is also the time of year for exams. This means that the regular school schedule is not being followed, and there is more free time than usual. But for some of the boys, that free time is occupied with studying so as to be able to pass their exams and move on to the next grade. The teachers are there to offer help to anyone who needs it, and the boys themselves can often be seen working together to prepare.

The directors, meanwhile, are trying to put together vacation schedules for the teachers and counselors, and trying to prepare for graduation. In addition, during November both the Institute and the Agricultural School have sessions for prospective new students. They come for two weeks, go to class, have workshops, and live together. This gives them a chance to see if they want to be involved in the program, and gives the teachers a chance to evaluate whether the boys have the background to be able to keep up with the work.

Finally, it is a time when we begin to do home visits to the boys who are interested in joining El Hogar when the year begins in February. All three directors visit the homes of the new boys, so as to evaluate whether the need is real, and to learn as much as they can about the background of the boys, so they can work with as much knowledge as possible.

So, although the school year here is winding down, it is probably the busiest time of the year for the directors. Not only are they tying up loose ends to this year, preparing for next year (including looking at the budget), and meeting new boys, but, in a time of change like this, the boys who are already part of El Hogar often are going through some anxiety and stress, so require more attention than usual.

Please keep us in your prayers during this time of change.

Que Dios lo Bendiga,

The Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director
El Hogar Projects